Hot Stove roundup: Royals targeting Beltran

Free-agent righty Arroyo may meet with Mets; Furcal drawing interest

By
Cash Kruth
MLB.com

There wasn't a whole lot of Hot Stove chatter on Saturday, though a few interesting nuggets appeared as teams continue to look to build their best rosters.

• The Royals appear serious in their pursuit of free-agent outfielder Carlos Beltran, according to Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star. One Royals official told Dutton of Beltran: "We'd love to have him in. One thing about Carlos Beltran is he's a money player. He's an RBI guy. He produces."

• The Mets are expected to meet with free-agent starter Bronson Arroyo at his home next week, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. However, Newsday reporter David Lennon tweeted that the Mets don't have plans to meet with the right-hander.

• Free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal has been contacted by the Red Sox, Marlins, Mets, Nationals, Pirates and Rockies, according to ESPNDeportes.com.

• The Twins have agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with free-agent right-hander Phil Hughes, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Hughes is expected to be in the Twin Cities within the next few days for a physical, which is the final step before the deal is officially announced.